HOOVER, ALA (WIAT)- Holiday shopping is here and the Alabama Retail Association is anticipating big holiday spending this year. The Alabama Retail Association said shoppers in Alabama are expected to spend more than $11.5 billion this year during November and December. That is up from $11.43 billion in 2016.

Saturday The Riverchase Galleria in Hoover was packed with shoppers looking for deals and getting gifts for loves one. Some customers spending a lot of money.

“I’d say I spent close to $800 or $900,” said shopper Char Char Ramsey.

Ramsey is from Chattanooga, Tennessee trying to get her shopping done. She has five grandchildren.

“I got some good buys on jogging suits, and dresses,” said Ramsey.

Shopper Joe Todd and his family said they plan around $2,000 this holiday season.

“Clothes and things like that electronics we usually get them online,” said Todd.

According to a survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics for the National Retail Federation consumers said they will spend an average of $967 this year which is about 30 dollars more than last year than when they did the survey.